National Prostate Cancer Dialogue: Health stakeholders unite to combat rising cases in Ghana

A broad coalition of health experts, policymakers, development partners, and civil society organizations convened at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on October 2, 2024, for the National Prostate Cancer Dialogue.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Health with support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and Bayer Pharmaceuticals, aimed to address the growing challenge of prostate cancer in Ghana.

In her address, Adelaide Ntim the Deputy Minister for Health emphasized the importance of collective action in tackling the silent burden of prostate cancer in the country.

"In Ghana, prostate cancer is one of the top two reported cancers in men, affecting thousands of our fathers, brothers, and sons. Despite being preventable and treatable, many cases go undiagnosed until they have reached advanced stages," she said.

The Deputy Minister called for a multisectoral approach to improve early detection, awareness, and treatment across the country.

Highlighting the global context, she noted that 1.4 million new cases of prostate cancer were recorded worldwide in 2022, making it the fourth most common cancer globally.

In Ghana, prostate cancer accounts for 21% of all male cancers, with an alarming 2,395 new cases recorded last year alone.

One of the key announcements at the dialogue was the launch of a new prostate cancer project, Piloting Prostate Cancer Intervention in the Greater Accra Region, initiated by Bayer AG and GIZ.

This initiative aims to improve access to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and preventive healthcare services.

Over the past year, the project has equipped health facilities with diagnostic tools and trained healthcare workers in early detection techniques.

Eight healthcare centers across Greater Accra have already benefited from these interventions, which are set to expand nationwide.

Dr. Darius Osei, Technical Adviser to the Minister of Health speaking on behalf of the Chief Director at the ministry, emphasized the importance of aligning interventions with national policies.

He noted that the National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Policy and Strategy launched in 2022 provides a roadmap for addressing prostate cancer in Ghana.

"The Ministry of Health is committed to strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to diagnostic and treatment services, and raising public awareness about non-communicable diseases, including prostate cancer," he said.

Wilhelm Hugo, GIZ Ghana Cluster Coordinator for Sustainable Economic Development, reiterated the German Development Cooperation's commitment to advancing prostate cancer management in Ghana.

He expressed optimism that the dialogue would usher in an era of enhanced public awareness and professional understanding of prostate cancer.

During his remarks, Hugo also outlined the progress made by the Piloting Prostate Cancer Intervention in the Greater Accra Region project.

He highlighted how this project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has raised awareness about the condition, addressed affordability challenges, and provided vital PSA testing services.

Among the key issues raised during the dialogue were the need for public awareness about prostate cancer, the lack of access to diagnostic services, and the importance of data for informed decision-making.

AM/OGB

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